Sunday, April 09, 2006

Crab Rangoon

I'm posting this in the spirit of the latest post on Tony M's "lonely rice chronicles" (see blog listing at right). I research the shit out of things. This often leads to a diminished view of the world and the things in it that I may have once enjoyed and/or thought was cool. In the furry animal comic (nothing against furry animal comics, I draw more than my share of talking furries in "Fables") Yojimbo, the Samurai rabbit carries the great sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the legendary "Grass-Mower" or "Cloud Cluster Sword". I love the origin mythology of Japan (not that lame-assed version Tom Cruise panted at the start of "The Last Samurai"). Much better than the origin mythology of Kenosha ("magic elf feces. indeed). Anyway, in researching a story I came across the origins of swords in Japan; cultural influences, smithing, etc...Plus the epic story of where the "Grass-Mower" was lost at the Battle of Dan-no-Nura. At any rate, Yojimbo's sword, if it is indeed Kusanagi, should not resemble the standard idea of a samurai sword. It should like this:The sheath for the sword is covered in what is actually tiger's fur, hunted in Korea. The influence for swords in the Japan of that era was from the mainland; China and Korea. There's supposed to be the reclaimed "Cloud Cluster" in a temple in Japan, proof of the Emperor's Divine Rite to the Throne of Japan. Most likely it's a "replica". Your lesson for the day. If Ninja get me avenge my ass, Tony.h.e.

7 comments:

Tony!How dare you attempt to point out Tom Cruise's shortcomings. He's the only one allowed to do that. You're just a sore head because YOU can't master the art of the Samurai during a twenty-minute montage.

Must say I didn't know Kusanagi was a double-edged, straight sword, though it makes perfect sense, since the single-edged curved swords didn't develop until long after the mythic period in Japanese history.

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I man a small, yet prepared outpost in Battle Zone Eighteen, Oscar Six Sector. My rank is Group Sub-Baron of the 8th Combat Squadron, 888 Flotilla attached to Air Wing PULSARE, the "TROUBLING 8's".
I spend my free time drawing for DC/Vertigo.